I yawn as I get out of the shower. I had a long day ahead of me. The first day of this conference would mostly be occupied by an overview of the state of the war and a debate on how to proceed next. The debate would likely only be in broad strokes, leaving minutia for theater debates during the following days. All in all I was expecting a couple days of debates, the usual moral grandstanding and at least one fistfight on the subject of the base delta zero protocol. It was almost a tradition, whenever large numbers of high ranking officers gathered.

  I finish changing and march out of the sparse room, R4 on my heels handing me a datapad as we walk. I exchange salutes and nods with officers known and unknown as I make it to the cafeteria. I would probably have two times my usual caf ration this week, although on the bright side, I had managed to restock a decent chunk of my liquor supply over Commenor.

  I grab a breakfast bagel to eat as I march down the next hall. The briefing would start in a bit and I wanted to be there on time, if not a little early. I enter the large room as I take my last bite of the eggy sandwich I had partially drowned in hot-sauce and scan the area. A group of Jedi huddled in a corner in a deep discussion. Another group of officers around Admiral Wilhuff Tarkin. A third group of officers around Admiral Jerjerrod which I slowly gravitate towards. Admiral Yularen stands proudly in another area, the highest ranking officers of the Open Circle Fleet gathered around the graying officer like he was standing atop a rock in gater infested sands. A couple smaller groups around various other Admirals and Generals who had been pulled from the front for this, with Fleet Admiral Coburn’s being the largest of these small groups. Though comparatively I can spot the representative from the Sith Worlds Cordon Fleet hiding, rather poorly with his full Navy uniform, among a smaller group of Jedi.

  “Admiral Jerjerrod.” I greet the man currently pointing out something on his datapad to a familiar looking Commodore.

  “Admiral Dericote. I see the front is treating you well.” The man says, turning towards me.

  “Well I wouldn’t say well, I got hit in the head by a mouse droid a bit more than a month ago.” I reply lightly.

  “Do you think you can manage the expectations placed upon you by the Head of Naval Operations after suffering such an injury?” He asks a hint of mirth in his tone.

  “I believe I should be able to juggle my hats. As long as Sector General Therbon himself doesn’t make a sudden appearance despite the current siege at Lantillies I shouldn’t have any issues. Though if the Sector General does make an appearance I fully trust in your ability to take over until the heat has died down.” I answer.

  The Admiral nods once, before gesturing towards some of the surrounding officers: “Here are some of our clear allies. This here is Commodore Uri Gerra, he was promoted to second in command of the siege of Mimban about half a year ago.”

  “Pleasure to see you again.” I interrupt.

  “Pleasure’s mine, sir.” The young Arkanian flag officer responds.

  “Over there is General Gentis, currently trying to fully win over some of his colleagues to our way of thinking. Over on the railing above us are Commodores Hornblower and Bush, they’re the only members from our efforts in the Jaso Sector that could make it, beside Adjunct Captain Zsinj, who is representing his mother and currently running late.”

  I nod quietly as I glance around the room, spotting the holograms of multiple Jedi appearing to add to the chaos of the room: “Do you know who the speaker will be?”

  “Sector General Khor Seerdon is our host and is expected to lead the narration for a decent chunk of this.” Jerjerrod answers.

  I frown slightly: “Could be better, could be worse. He’s officially neutral right?”

  “Leaning towards the Tarkin camp.” Jerjerrod clues me in.

  “So like their version of Coburn?” I offer.

  “More neutral than him.” Jerjerrod clarifies.

  I nod as a klaxon sounds. I take a seat beside the older Admiral and our fellow Clique members, finishing my first cup of caf in the process. I tap R4 and shake my cup a tiny bit. She sighs, pulls out three datapads, placing them on my lap, before taking the cup and rolling off to get me a refill. Wonderful droid, I should see about getting her something nice.

  “Officers of the Republic,” A slightly haughty, inner Core accented, man begins, “Your attention please.”

  They eyes of the room snap towards the man speaking in the center of the amphitheater-like room. A holoprojected map emerges shortly after, showing the front lines, enclaves, exclaves and sieges littering the known half of the galaxy.

  “For those few ignorant in the room, I am Sector General Seerdon, commanding officer of the 3rd Sector Army and Steel Blade Command. I would begin by congratulating everyone present today for surviving transit.” A few chuckles can be hear through the room at the dry joke, “However we have gathered here today for a discussion on the next step of the war.”

  He gestures towards the large holoprojection above him: “The Separatists have almost entirely been driven from the Core, only a few strongholds remain and those are heavily besieged and under cordon. It is believed that the enemy forces at Foerost will either surrender or attempt a doomed breakout attempt within the year while Cato Neimoidia has revealed her true colors when the world was revealed to be harboring an enemy armada, which too shall fall to combined arms.”

  He gestures next to the north of the galaxy, the depiction of Separatist controlled space briefly flashing between shades of blue and purple to gain our attention: “In the north the enemy has been forced to a territory compromised of a measly fifteen sectors, centered around the Banking Clan stronghold of Mygeto. Admiral Tennant is currently leading the siege upon the Separatist exclave at Ord Cantrell, which should end within the week, barring any sudden movements from the Separatists, after which a new attack on Mygeto will be attempted.”

  Tennant had mentioned the siege a month and a bit ago. I was glad he hadn’t managed to kick the bucket since our current comms silence started. Operational Security could be such a pain for active correspondence.

  Seerdon continues: “Next theater of note is the Serenno theater. We currently hold them at Bandomeer, with plans to move up the Hydian. There are also plans to head along the Celanon Spur to secure the flanks and ensure the northern and Serenno theaters cannot support one another. Meanwhile Mandalor’s continued neutrality has made it difficult to ensure full separation between the Serenno and Tion theaters. Our exclave in the Corporate Sector is holding to an acceptable level. However continued piracy and the apparent neutrality of Zygeria has lead to the impossibility of offensive action from there, be it along the Hydian or towards the Tion Cluster.”

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  The Sector General takes a moment to pause as the Tion Cluster flashes a few times. The man finally continues just as R4 hands me my new cup of caf: “Speaking of the Tion Cluster and Perlimian Theaters, the enemy has had much progress against our forces along the Perlimian, forcing us as far back as Lantillies and placing Roche under a complete siege and cordon we have been unable to break into. I will be quite honest. The Cerulean Spear is the most endangered command in operation. Lantillies is the last stronghold capable of holding the Separatist advance other than Anaxes. Current estimates given by Sector General Therbon says he can hold out for another two weeks, before either needing to abandon the system or fight to the last.”

  Seerdon pauses a moment before continuing: “However the enemy advance is rather thin. They have failed attacks against Trasee, Togoria, Azure, Velmor, Casfield and even Ord Tiddel. We have used precisely these worlds as bases of operations for multiple raiding formations, though the enemy has also attempted to cut off said bases through their own raids and attacks. In summary, the Perlimian will require immediate action, no matter what this conference ends up deciding.”

  I could see the other motive behind the Sector General’s warning. If Lantillies fell, it would be Seerdon’s responsibility to halt the enemy as soon as possible. Likely at Tanaab, to stop the Hapes from trying anything, or at Vurdon Ka, to stop any attempt at attacking Carida. If the man failed at this, it would be his career on the line. Worse yet Lantillies was an old strategic world and a, relatively lesser, shipyard world and like many ancient fortresses, Lantilles held not only a small stockpile of WMDs, but also a large cultural importance to their surrounding sectors.

  Seerdon continues on in report, tearing me away from my increasingly dangerous train of thought: “However not all is too dire in the Tion Theater. Admiral Dericote has managed to sustain and expand our exclave around Mon Cala to an exceptional degree and performed multiple attacks into the Tion Cluster proper. Despite this, the exclave has difficult supply lines, made worse by the temporary loss of Randon, whose theater will be discussed next. I was also given the information that Admiral Dericote will be attempting to alleviate some pressure on the Perlimian by invading vital worlds to the Separatists’ rear.”

  I nod in acknowledgment as the next theater lights up. This would be a messy one, Seerdon himself seemingly agreeing based off of the sigh he give out: “Where to begin with the Eastern Theater?”

  He pauses a moment before continuing: “The enemy still holds part of Mimban and almost all territories along the Ootmian Pabol. We luckily have secured Gyndine and half of Randon, but the Separatists essentially have an additional territory connected to the Tion theater. We have detected some fleet movements between the two. The Seps appear to be shifting raiders who earned their spurs along the Hydian and Perlimian to the Ootmian, Nanth’ri, Trax Triangle, while moving forces experienced with the shifting of a siege to the Hydian in turn. Expect more raids in the Triangle and possible siege experts attempting to widen the thrust along the Perlimian or attempting a third seizure of Mon Cala. Also I wish to remind all present, that the Triangle is filled to the brim with worlds under Hutt influence, so no, we cannot simply act as we usually do and often have to negotiate with the Hutts to even attack Sep forces when it could interfere with Hutt business.”

  Another pause as the man angrily stares at the Perlimian before continuing: “Next is the Hypori theater. Same deal with the Hutts here. We cannot attack Hypori yet, because the Hutts have contracts with them. However this theater is almost entirely in our hands. Ryloth, Geonosis, Savareen, Herdessa, Rodia and many others are firmly in our hands. Hypori is the exception in the theater, not the norm.”

  A final area lights up as Seerdon gathers himself: “Finally the Southern Theater. Sullust is in our hands, as are Fondor, Malastare and of course, ever loyal Eriadu, in large part thanks to the efforts of the Tarkin family. I will be honest. This area has recently been relegated to medium low priority for reinforcements due, in part, to the security gained after the mutiny of Fondor’s planetary defense forces in favor of the Republic and the already significant number of Republic forces in the theater. The Seps still hold a dangerous quartet of Thyferra, Mechis, Bestine and Yag’Dhul in the north of the theater, but its south is rather cut up between the reliable forces of Eriadu alongside our other loyal worlds and various smaller Sep forces which are busy bickering over who is in command of the theater instead of combining their forces to attempt an attack against us.”

  The man pauses one last time before speaking: “I suppose let the discussion begin.”

  Tarkin’s camp is the first to spit someone out. A General by the look of his badge, maybe in his mid forties or early fifties: “General Romodi, Southern Theater. I have said it before and I will say it again, the south is not as secure as it is being reported on. We need to fully secure its north and the supply lines to Eriadu.”

  “Admiral Z’timin, Perlimian Theater. The south is in stalemate, which is far better than what can be said about the Perlimian.” An Admiral on the opposite side protests.

  “Then let us finally mobilize the Core fleets!” Someone else barks into the arena.

  “I remind everyone to introduce themselves at least once, before interjecting.” Seerdon interrupts.

  “Admiral Dorja, Perlimian Theater. We must break Trench’s advance into the Core or else face the enemy within orbit of Anaxes.” The man emphasizing his point by smashing his fist against the railing.

  Yularen’s being awfully quiet, I notice. Coburn too. Intriguing. It looks like the current shouting is less about doctrine and more about where things have gone worse. I hum in consideration, glancing towards Jerjerrod to see if he’s leaning one way or another.

  “Admiral Killian, Open Circle.” An older man, with a Corellian accent, interrupts my pondering, “I believe it would be prudent for us to maul the enemy forces at Lantillies. Depending on the outcome after the battle, we can re-assign forces from the theater if necessary.”

  “No, we should fully commit to forcing the enemy behind Ringo Vinda, before re-allocating forces to to other theaters. Mobilize the Core!” Z’timin interrupts.

  I lean over to Jerjerrod and whisper a question: “Do we even have the reserves to commit?”

  He answers equally quietly: “We’d be stripping forces from many inner Core worlds and the safer colonies, but they should be returned to normal levels once the sieges are concluded in a timely manner.”

  “If they’re concluded at all.” I mutter darkly as a different officer barks their objection.

  “General Tallon, Starfighter Corps and Representative of the siege of Foerost. If we strip reserves we leave the Core vulnerable to assault from breakouts in the remaining sieges.”

  “General Rohn, Southern Theater. Are the sieges so brittle as to fail against simple breakout attempts?”

  “I said no such thing! I am merely concerned with possible security risks.” Tallon replies, offended.

  “Maker I’m not drunk enough for this.” I mutter to myself. Jerjerrod chooses to give me the stink eye for my quiet outburst.

  “Admiral Ozzel, Southern Command. What about the Cordon Fleet? Surely her ships could prove fruitful in the defense of the Core?” A man I recognize from pa’s messages asks. I almost felt sorry for the him.

  “Admiral Slocum, Sith Worlds Cordon Fleet. I demand the previous questions be stricken from the record. We have stood guard over the remnants of the Sith homeworlds for millennia upon millennia to prevent any Force wielders from accessing the tombs of monsters past. No matter who, no matter why, no matter when, the 13th Battlegroup and 17th Battlegroup will continue to do so and woe be to any fool who dares fight against us!” The well groomed Admiral berates from his post.

  “What I think, most of us can agree on, is that Lantillies must be reinforced.” Admiral Killian says, trying to bring the conversation back on track, “And that we are simply in disagreement as to how the best way of doing so will be.”

  “Admiral Yularen, Open Circle. Vice Admiral Wessex has my word.” Yularen finally joins the fray and using Wessex to appear more impartial too.

  “Vice Admiral Wessex, Open Circle. A relief effort to Lantillies would be practical. Since the deep Core is safe from outside threat, couldn’t one strip the Republic garrisons from worlds in the Negs for those reinforcements?”

  “They are severely outdated! It would be more of a liability to send them to the front!” Admiral Dorja protests.

  “Even outdated ships could be useful.” Admiral Z’timin counters, “We should not look a gifted Bantha in the mouth, Dorja. I do fear that those ships will not be enough. Especially after the losses and damage already sustained to the vessels operating in and around Lantillies.”

  “Agreed!” Dorja pounces, making an abrupt one-eighty.

  I slowly rise as I speak: “Admiral Dericote, Tion Cluster Theater. I believe my colleagues within the Cerulean Spear are correct in their assessment. If we do not throw the enemy back at Lantillies, they will likely make it to Anaxes, though I pray they don't even manage to win at Lantillies in the first place. It would therefore be prudent to throw them back along the Perlimian, rather than to allow them within spitting distance of the inner Core. I recommend we take at least half of the forces within the Negs and whatever ships the Core can spare to do exactly that. Preferably without compromising their safety, as seen by the Marshal Administrators and not by the local commanders.”

  “Should we really put so much faith in the Marshal Administrators instead of the local governments and their officers? Wouldn’t they know better?” General Rohn asks as I return to my seat.

  “Admiral Tarkin, Southern Theater. I have to agree with my colleague within the Admiralty. A more centralized attack at the problem is more suitable for the dire situation.” A surprising agreement there.

  “Very good. We are in agreement then.” Seerdon says, “Forces from the Negs will be sent right away while further forces will be gathered by local Marshall Administrators for continuous assistance. For confirmation of the latest plan, please press the green button on the provided datapads, red for disagreement.”

  In the end, after a few minutes the first decision is passed and the next fight begins.